Developing a Young Writer’s Enthusiasm

In my four years of teaching, I have observed the enthusiasm of my 6th grade writers dwindle from year to year. Last year specifically, when asking my students their thoughts on writing, I was overwhelmed by their negativity and disdain for writing. I couldn’t help but wonder, why?

As cliché as it may sound, in the age of texting and ever-present social media, we really are facing the loss of an art form: writing. With technology at our fingertips, we are no longer held accountable for our spelling (e.g. autocorrect). For our students, their speed of texting takes priority over syntax rules such as capitalizing “i” or the half-second it takes to type “you” as opposed to “u.” Spelling and grammar aside, many of my students described writing as boring, or something they only did when they had to. As a twenty-five-year-old teacher, I was in shock! Our generational gap could not possibly be big enough to hold such a transformation in a young student’s thoughts on writing, could it?? But then I realized, perhaps it was.

As a young teacher, I feel as though I can relate to my students on many levels, but how could I show them the journey that comes along with writing? How could I instill the same love of writing my fourth grade teacher instilled in me? How could I teach them that writing is exciting, thought provoking, an escape from reality, a place to explore their hopes and dreams? Change the medium. Combine writing with something they are very much interested in, social media.

With some light research and googling, I stumbled upon Kidblog. A safe outlet for my students to explore their creativity and become a part of a much bigger picture, a writing community filled with their classmates. After an easy set up process, I was ready to introduce “Bulldog Blogs” to my 6th graders. I was thrilled and motivated by their excitement, determined to sustain their enthusiasm by utilizing our blog to the fullest.

I am certain that using a writing blog with my 6th graders changed the course of my Language Arts Enrichment class tenfold. Was I able to transform the writing opinions of every student? Perhaps not. I am, however, extremely confident that our blog helped me reach many students, even some of the naysayers I met in the beginning of the year. I couldn’t help but smile as I would see blog posts pop up that weren’t assigned and receive emails from eager bloggers asking me to please approve their comment on their fellow classmate’s blog post.

A new school year is in full swing and an introduction of my current students to our class blog has been made. The enthusiasm is building, and now the fun begins!

Kidblog Twitter Kidblog Facebook Kidblog Pinterest About the Author
Jeannie is a K-6 Spanish teacher who also teachers a Language Arts Enrichment class to three sections of 6th graders in Richmond, Virginia. She loves working with all of the age groups and seeing the children grow from year to year. Jeannie’s true passion has always been writing, therefore teaching LAE is truly enriching for her. She loves helping students find their inner writer.

3 comments

Mr Butler

November 11th, 2014 - 7:27pm

My grade 7 class ironically has blog called Bulldog Blog. Please get in touch and we can plan some sort of joint project. I agree with everything you said.

Mr Butler

Frances Robb

November 12th, 2014 - 12:59am

I enjoyed reading your thoughts on the subject of writing. My first grade students were always so much more excited to share their unbridled thoughts than the cautious fifth graders I worked with. I applaud the opportunities that blogs provide. So often, great ideas are hindered by the “rules” of writing and kids just give up on their thoughts rather than risk the red pen. Writing is just another form of communication and one thing that’s not going away is the need for people to share their ideas. Keep encouraging your young people to write. Harry Potter was created on a cocktail napkin…just imagine the possibilities on a blog. Good job Mrs. McGeorge!